Since that dinner, I’ve been fixated on tradition, and on understanding the role it plays in establishing or reinforcing “food culture.” I’ve also been reflecting on the impact of living at such a fast pace—in a society that’s reliant on fast food and microwaves. I wonder, what will happen to the recipes that were penned by our grandparents and great grandparents, or to the traditions that were familiar to them?

To better understand tradition—better yet, to celebrate it—I’ve asked friends to cook for me, and to let me follow them around in the kitchen as they cook the recipes of previous generations.

I’m calling the collection of these stories the Legacy Project. The exact format and purpose may shift along the journey, but rest assured there will plenty of food and photographs.